CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — If you like panning for gold or have ever wanted to explore inside a gold mine, then a trip to Reed Gold Mine in Cabarrus County should be on your calendar. 


What You Need To Know

  • Reed Gold Mine is the first documented gold find in the United States

  • During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed

  • The land was originally owned by John Reed, who was a Hessian soldier who left the British army near the end of the Revolutionary War

  • Reed's son found a large yellow rock in Little Meadow Creek, it weighed 17 pounds but was really gold

Located in Midland, Reed Gold Mine is the first documented gold find in the United States. 

The historical site maintains the original mines where workers dug tunnels and pulled out pans of dirt to dig for gold. 

Before COVID-19, the mine used to include guided tours, but now it's self-guided. 

One of those tour guides was Melissa Burris, now a mother and elementary school teacher. 

"I started doing tours at 15 years old and continued all through high school until I went to college," Burris said. 

Burris said it was while she was working at the mine when she discovered she was related to John Reed. He was her sixth great-grandfather. 

"And everybody is like, 'Oh did you get any of the Reed Gold?' No, No, I got to work here which is even better,” Burris said. 

Burris continues to visit the mine, bringing her 8-year-old son along, and tagging along with her friends and family who also enjoy to visit. 

They enjoy panning for gold, which is still done at the site.